Lyla Dejesus
Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro has been accused of several charges, including an alleged coup attempt to stay in power after his 2022 election defeat. Bolsonaro, who served seven consecutive terms from 1991 to 2018, has been a controversial figure due to his sexist, racist, and homophobic remarks, as well as his anti-scientific handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and his hostility towards minorities. While some of his supporters admire his military background and promises of government efficiency, others are expressing doubts about his ability to lead the country effectively.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of election win | October 2018 |
| Bolsonaro's campaign promises | End to rising violence, economic turnaround, and an end to old-style corrupt politics |
| Bolsonaro's actions in power | Swift action on gun ownership, loosened regulations to make it easier to keep guns at home, failed to push through pension cuts |
| Public opinion | Some erstwhile supporters are expressing doubts about his ability to lead, Bolsonaro is losing support, some are more upbeat |
| Bolsonaro's cousin Alessandra Guadelupe Regondi's opinion | She is a big fan, she likes his promises of cutting ministries in the government and making it more efficient, she does not see any problem with his social media habit |
| Bolsonaro's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic | Held a political rally in Brasília without wearing a mask, nationwide protests erupted against his response to the pandemic, YouTube removed 15 videos posted by Bolsonaro for spreading misinformation about the virus |
| Bolsonaro's charges | Orchestrating a plot to stay in office despite losing the 2022 election, attempting a coup, leading a criminal organization with an “authoritarian power project”, attempted coup d'état, armed criminal association, violent abolition of the rule of law |
| Bolsonaro's defence | He has repeatedly denied breaking any laws, his defence team said the accusations were met with "dismay and indignation" |
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What You'll Learn
Bolsonaro's response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro has been criticized for his response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Days after Brazil became the country worst hit by COVID-19, Bolsonaro held a political rally in Brasília, where he was surrounded by supporters and security guards wearing masks, but he himself did not wear a mask. In June 2021, nationwide protests erupted against Bolsonaro's handling of the pandemic, with an estimated 100,000 protesters taking to the streets of São Paulo alone. Bolsonaro was also accused of spreading misinformation about the virus, leading YouTube to remove 15 of his videos, including one where the former health minister, Eduardo Pazuello, compared COVID-19 to HIV. In other videos, Bolsonaro criticized measures to stop the spread of the virus, such as wearing masks and taking the vaccine. By the end of June 2021, members of the opposition started calling for his impeachment over his pandemic response and misinformation.
Bolsonaro's response to the pandemic was a significant factor in the criticism and opposition he faced. His actions and statements during the COVID-19 crisis were seen as anti-scientific and a threat to public health. His refusal to wear a mask and participate in basic preventive measures sent a message of non-compliance to the Brazilian public. Bolsonaro's criticism of vaccines and pandemic response efforts likely contributed to the spread of the virus and hindered the country's ability to control the outbreak.
In addition to his controversial pandemic response, Bolsonaro has also been charged with attempting a coup to stay in power after losing the 2022 election. He is accused of orchestrating a plot to poison his opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and attempting to overturn the election results. Bolsonaro's supporters rioted in the capital, Brasilia, in January 2023, vandalizing government buildings. These actions and allegations have further damaged Bolsonaro's reputation and led to calls for his prosecution and accountability.
While Bolsonaro has denied any wrongdoing and claimed that he has always respected the democratic rule of law, his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic and his alleged involvement in a coup attempt have caused significant concern and backlash in Brazil and internationally. His failure to effectively address the pandemic and his apparent disregard for democratic norms have contributed to a decline in public support and trust in his leadership.
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Bolsonaro's economic policies
Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro, a former army captain and long-term congressman, won the country's presidential vote in late 2018, assuming office in January 2019. Bolsonaro's economic policies have been described as ultra-neoliberal, with a focus on counter-reforms in social security, tax, and administrative sectors, as well as privatisation, inflation, and deregulation.
One of Bolsonaro's key economic policies was pension reform, which was significant as it required a change in the country's constitution and a super-majority in Congress. Brazil's government pension payments were over 8% of the nation's GDP, the primary reason for the country's deficit. The pension reform bill was passed in October 2019 and was expected to result in savings of $195 billion over the next decade. Bolsonaro's government also oversaw the privatisation of state assets, selling over $23 billion in 2019, the easing of monetary policy, and the implementation of deregulation measures.
However, Bolsonaro's administration struggled with high unemployment levels and a challenging trade relationship with the United States and China. Brazil's economy is heavily dependent on exports, which make up 12.5% of its GDP. Bolsonaro's criticism of China, Brazil's biggest buyer of goods, and his alignment with former US President Trump, threatened new tariffs from the US and a slowdown in purchases from China, creating a challenging trade environment.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bolsonaro insisted on opening non-essential sectors of the economy, arguing that keeping the economy running was a priority. This stance, along with his promotion of mass gatherings and recommendation of unproven drugs, was seen as deliberately provoking the spread of the virus and resulted in criticism and protests.
Overall, Bolsonaro's economic policies aimed to stimulate stronger economic growth and address Brazil's fiscal deficits, but the effectiveness of these policies and their impact on the country's long-term economic health are still subject to debate.
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Bolsonaro's supporters and detractors
Jair Bolsonaro's supporters and detractors were both vocal during his time as Brazil's president. On the one hand, Bolsonaro's supporters appreciated his promises of cutting government ministries to make it more efficient and his stance on gun ownership. They also saw him as a much-needed change from the old political leaders, with his cousin, Alessandra Guadelupe Regondi, stating that he represents "something very different, something that Brazil needs."
On the other hand, detractors of Bolsonaro criticized his failure to address Brazil's high unemployment rate and his inability to push through promised reforms, such as pension cuts. They also expressed concerns about his social media habits and his administration's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, including his anti-scientific stance, his refusal to wear a mask, and his criticism of vaccines.
In addition, Bolsonaro's detractors were alarmed by his threats of unconstitutional measures, his association with corruption and money laundering schemes, and his baseless allegations of fraud in Brazil's electronic voting system. They also took issue with his hostility towards minorities, Indigenous communities, and the environment, as well as his relentless attacks on Brazil's democratic system.
By June 2021, Bolsonaro's handling of the pandemic and spreading misinformation led to nationwide protests, with an estimated 100,000 protesters in São Paulo alone. In the same month, YouTube removed 15 videos posted by Bolsonaro for spreading misinformation about the virus.
In 2025, Bolsonaro was charged with attempting a coup to stay in power after losing the 2022 election. The charges included a plan to poison his opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro's supporters, including his son, Flavio Bolsonaro, rejected the accusations, claiming there was no evidence of wrongdoing. However, the charges were welcomed by opposition politicians and progressive Brazilians who were dissatisfied with Bolsonaro's presidency.
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Bolsonaro's social media usage
Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's former president, has been an avid user of social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and WhatsApp. He has relied heavily on social media to rally his base, similar to his political role model, former US President Donald Trump. Bolsonaro's use of social media played a crucial role in his 2018 presidential election victory. He utilized platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube to disseminate his political message and connect with voters, bypassing traditional media channels.
In response to content removals, Bolsonaro signed a decree to prevent social media platforms from arbitrarily removing accounts, profiles, and content. He argued that platforms should only exclude posts if there is "just cause" to do so. This decree limited the moderation power of social media companies, requiring them to notify users and provide opportunities for reinstatement before removing content.
Despite the controversies, Bolsonaro's supporters, like his cousin Alessandra Guadelupe Regondi, defend his social media usage. They argue that it helps him connect with the people and that he represents a new hope for Brazil, bringing a different perspective to the country's leadership.
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Bolsonaro's response to violence in Brazil
Brazil's far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro has been criticised for his response to the wave of violence that swept the country during his tenure. Bolsonaro's aggressive and irresponsible speeches have escalated a climate of violence and encouraged his supporters to violently confront those who disagree with them.
Bolsonaro's rhetoric has fuelled a culture of political violence. For example, in September 2022, a rural worker was fatally stabbed during a political discussion with a Bolsonaro supporter. In another instance, an armed supporter of Bolsonaro invaded a children's birthday party and executed the child's father in front of his entire family.
Bolsonaro's response to the violence has been to urge law enforcement to get even tougher on criminals. He has sought to boost legal protections for police who kill on the job, proposing a bill to lessen sentences for officers who shoot because of "excusable fear, surprise or violent emotion". He has also said that criminals should "die like cockroaches". As a result of this rhetoric, Rio's governor, Wilson Witzel, ordered snipers to fire on suspects from helicopters, stating that suspects should "surrender or die".
Bolsonaro's justice minister, Sergio Moro, has denied that the administration advocates police violence. He stated that "confrontations between police and criminals are always undesirable" and that public security should be resolved with "intelligence, strategy, due process and state presence". However, official figures show that between January and August 2019, Rio police killed 1,249 people, a rate of 5 people per day.
In addition to the surge in killings by police, Bolsonaro has also been criticised for his response to violence perpetrated by his supporters. In January 2023, Bolsonaro's supporters invaded the country's Supreme Court and Congressional building and surrounded the presidential palace in Brasilia. Global leaders, including those from the UK and the European Parliament, condemned the violence and expressed support for Brazilian democracy and the Lula government. Some called for Bolsonaro, who was in Florida at the time, to be sent back to Brazil to face responsibility for inspiring domestic terrorism.
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Frequently asked questions
Jair Bolsonaro is a former Brazilian president who served from 2019 until 2022. He is known for his far-right, populist politics and admiration for Brazil's historical military dictatorship.
Bolsonaro ran on a platform of change, promising to end corruption, reduce violence, and turn around Brazil's economic crisis. He also threatened to arrest, purge, or kill members of the Workers' Party, referring to them as "red outlaws."
Bolsonaro's time in office was marked by controversy. He loosened gun regulations, threatened to use the military to maintain power, and mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic by spreading misinformation and refusing to wear a mask.
Bolsonaro faced widespread protests and calls for impeachment. His supporters praised his non-traditional political background and his ability to connect with the people. However, critics highlighted his failure to deliver on promises, his divisive rhetoric, and his attacks on Brazil's democratic institutions.
Bolsonaro refused to accept his 2022 election defeat and was charged with attempting a coup to stay in power. He currently faces allegations of orchestrating a plot to poison his opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and dismantle Brazil's democracy.
